Centerless grinding system



March 31, 1970 R. SCHALLER 3,503,156

CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR.

RQBERT L. CHALLER.

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. SCHALLER 3,503,156

CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROBERT L SCHALLER. a s Z Z I ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 Filed Sept. 26, 1967 R. -L. SCHALLER CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

ROBERT L. SCHALLER.

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. L. SCHALLER 3,503,156

CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

FIG. 4

INVENTOR. ROBERT L. SCHALLER ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. SCHALLER I 3,503,156

GENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 as so 66 55 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. ROBERT L. SCHALLER.

XMW

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. L. SCHALLER 3,503,156

CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 6

INVENTOR. ROBERT L. SCHALLER.

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. L. SCHALLER 3,503,156

CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 ,7- 1 o LE 1: 1|

m, o L 2 3 O O N N [L lu O Q I, LL-

77 :l I i I: m l.....]

m 8 N m \n 1N Q l 2 nl I-\ l m 1K Q I w i d o \A s t0 2 g INVENTOR.

ROBERT L. SCHALLER.

I; a, BE I Q ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. L. SCHALLER CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 26. 1967 INVEN TOR.

ROBERT L. SCHALLER.

ATTORNEY.

March 31, 1970 R. 1.. SCHALLER 3,503,156

CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1967 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG.

INVENTOR. ROBERT L. SCHALLER.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent O 3,503,156 CENTERLESS GRINDING SYSTEM Robert L. Schaller, Camillus, N.Y., assignor to Engelberg, Inc., Liverpool, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 670,584 Int. Cl. B24b 21/02, /18

U.S. Cl. 51-139 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Centerless grinding system wherein all bar supporting and grinding components are adjustable on linear paths by servomechanism which may have numerical control to accommodate bars of different diameters over a large range and maintain bars of all diameters on a preselected grinding axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to adjust centerless grinding machines now in use to grind bars of different diameters, many of the components of the machine are adjusted manually or, if components are moved for adjustment by power, the final adjustment is, in most instances, made by manual manipulation. Accordingly, the adjustment of such machines, from one bar diameter to another, is time consuming and if the machine is basically constructed to accommodate bars of a large diameter range, it is generally necessary to remove certain components of the machine and replace them with others.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a grinding machine, or system, capable of grinding bars which vary greatly in diameter as, for example, from one inch to thirteen inches. The system includes an arrangement wherein the various components of the machine, such as the in-feed and outfeed rolls, the bar supporting rest, the wheel head, and the regulating wheel, are all adjustable by being movable on linear paths. The adjustment of the various components is preferably effected simultaneously by servo mechanism with numerical control, whereby the machine can be adjusted to accommodate a bar of difierent diameter by the simple manipulation of a single dial.

The invention has as a further object an in-feed and out-feed mechanism wherein the bar supporting rolls are mounted in a novel structural arrangement, whereby the rolls are adjusted on linear paths which intersect a preselected grinding axis, the movement of all the rolls being uniform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the bar loading in feed mechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the grinding machine and the bar out-feed and unloading mechanism.

FIGURE 3 is a continuation to the right of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are front elevational views complemental to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.

FIGURE 7 is a view taken on line 7-7, FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of one of the in-feed, out-feed roll assemblies, as indicated by line 88, FIGURE 7, the view looking to the right of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 8, with the base portion of the structure shown in vertical section.

ice

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 of an infeed, out-feed, roll assembly embodying a modified structural arrangement.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of the grinding machine.

FIGURE 12 is a vertical sectional view through the base structure of the grinding machine for supporting the regulating wheel assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The grinding machine proper includes conventional components such as the grinding wheel, regulating wheel and work rest. The work rest structure indicated at 20, FIGURE 11, is of the type disclosed in application, Ser. No. 631,568, filed Mar. 30, 1967.

The work engaging blade 21 is mounted for a linear movement in a base 22 fixedly mounted on the frame of the machine. The linear path for adjustment of the blade 21, extends upwardly and inclines toward the regulating wheel 23. The work rest blade is adjusted on a linear path intersecting a preselected axis on which the bar is ground by rotation of the shaft 25, to which a worm is affixed and which meshes with a worm gear nut threaded on the blade carrying support. The specific structural arrangement of the work rest is disclosed in the copending application, Ser. No. 631,568.

The regulating wheel 23 is journalled in support 27 mounted on a vertically disposed flange 28 extending upwardly from a slide 29 mounted for linear movement toward and from the work rest 20.

Rotation is imparted to the regulating wheel 23 by a motor 33, operatively connected to the wheel, see FIG- URES 2 and 5.

The slide 29 is formed on its undersurface with a dovetail structure, FIGURE 5, which has sliding movement in dove-tail ways 38 in base 39, FIGURE 12, fixedly secured to the frame of the machine. A screw 40 is fixed to the outer end of the slide 29. A worm gear nut 41 is mounted on the screw 40 within a housing 43 fixed to the base 39, as by mounting bracket 45, FIGURE 12. The outer end of the screw 40 is enclosed by a shield 42. A worm 46, mounted on a shaft 47, is arranged in mesh with a worm nut 41, whereby upon rotation of the shaft 47, the regulating wheel assembly is moved toward and from the work rest 20. The support member 27 is mounted on the flange 28 for rotatable adjustment about a horizontal axis. The gear head motor 49 is provided for tilting the regulating wheel, relative to the axis of the work bar 50, in order to impart feeding movement to the work bar, as is common practice in centerless grinding machines.

The grinding wheel, in the arrangement shown, consists of a roll 51 fixed to a shaft 52, journalled in a yoke structure 53, having linear sliding movement on a supporting way structure 54 mounted in a base 55. The shaft 52 is provided with a pulley 56 for receiving a driving belt 57 also trained over a pulley 58 mounted on the output shaft of the motor 59, see FIGURES 2, 5 and 11.

An abrasive belt 60 is trained over the driving wheel or roll 51, and over an idler roll 61, journalled in a yoke assembly 62, slidably mounted on fixed ways 63. The yoke 62 and idler roll 61 are urged rearwardly to maintain proper tension on the belt 60, by a fluid cylinder 64, In the event that the belt should break, the yoke assembly 62 is moved rearwardly by the cylinder structure 64 into engagement with switch 65 to open the circuit to the rinding wheel drive motor 59.

The base 55 is slidably mounted on the machine frame for movement toward and from the regulating wheel 23. An abutment 66, FIGURE 12, is fixed to the forward end of the base 55, and the base is yieldingly urged toward the regulating wheel by cylinder and piston structure 67, FIGURE 11. This movement of the base is limited by engagement of the abutment 66 against the end'of a stop member 68. The stop member 68 is slidably mounted on a bracket 69 fixed to the machine frame. A screw 70 is fixed to the stop 68 by a coupling 71. A worm gear nut 73 has threaded engagement with screw 70, and is mounted in a housing 75, also fixed to the base 39 by bracket 76. A shaft 78 is journalled in housing 75 and extends normal to the screw 70. The shaft 78 has affixed thereto worm 79 meshing with the worm nut 73. Accordingly, upon rotation of shaft 78, the stop member 68 is moved axially in bracket 69, and the position of the stop member 68 controls movement of the grinding wheel head toward the regulating wheel and accordingly, the spacing between the grinding Wheel and the regulating wheel. The abutment 66 and contiguous portion of stop 68 are enclosed by a protective boot 80.

A servomotor mechanism 81 is connected to the shaft 78 see FIGURES 2 and 5. The shaft 78 is also provided with hand wheel 82, permitting the shaft to be rotated manually to provide adjustment of the grinding wheel head for belt wear.

Shaft 47 extends laterally from housing 43, FIGURES and 11, to a bracket 83 in which it is also journalled. A servomotor mechanism 84 is connected to shaft 47. A hand wheel 85 is fixed to the opposite end of shaft 47, to permit manual rotation of the shaft.

A sprocket 87 is fixed to the extending portion of shaft 47. The sprocket 87 is provided with a pin 88 for insertion in one of a plurality of holes in a disk 89 fixed to shaft 47. The sprocket is operatively connected to a sprocket 91, fixed on shaft 25, of the work rest structure, the connection being by way of chain 93. The sprocket and chain ratio being such as to provide simultaneous adjustment of the regulating wheel 23, and the work rest 20 upon rotation of shaft 47 by servomechanism 84, to accommodate bars 50 of different diameters, and to maintain bars of all diameters on the same preselected axis.

The hand wheel 85 serves for manual rotation of shaft 47 for initial adjustment of the regulating wheel to corroot for wear of the wheel. By disconnecting pin 88 from disk 89, relative adjustment between the regulating wheel and the bar rest 20 can be madeif, for example, wear takes place on the bar rest blade. After such adjustment, the pin 88 is reinserted in another hole in disk 89.

Bar loading and unloading mechanisms are mounted at the sides of the grinding machine. A bar in-feed mechanism is mounted in operative relation to the loading mechanism. A bar out-feed mechanism is mounted in operative relationship to the unloading mechanism. In the arrangement shown, the loading mechanism and bar in-feed mechanism is mounted at the left of the grinding machine. The bar unloading mechanism and the bar outfeed mechanism is located at the right of the grinding machine.

The bar in-feed, out-feed mechanisms consist of a plurality of bar supporting assemblies. Each assembly includes a pair of base members 95. A member 97 is slidingly mounted on each base 95, and i formed with an upstanding flange 100 formed with an aperture to rotatably receive a trunnion '1 attached to a bifurcated yoke member 103, FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. A shaft 105 is journalled in each yoke member 103. A bar supporting roll is fixed to the shaft, and is positioned intermediate to the legs of the yoke 103. A rod 108 is connected by a swivel connection to each of the yokes 103. The rods 108 are reciprocated by piston and cylinder structures 110 connected to the outer ends of the rods. This arrange- 4 ment is employed for canting the rolls 107, see FIG- URE 8.

As is well known in the cylindrical grinder art, the extent to which the in-feed and out-feed rolls 107 are canted, determines the speed of axial movement of the work bar.

Referring to FIGURE 9, each slide 97 is formed with base members are mounted on the machine frame in such manner that they incline upwardly toward the axis of the work bar 50 and that the movement of the slides 97 on the base members 95 is over a linear path. It will be apparent that the arrangement is such that the axes of the rolls 107 of each pair in each assembly move in paths which intersect the axis 165 of the bar 50, as shown by lines 109, FIGURES 7 and 10.

Referring to FIGURE 9, each slide 97 is formed with a depending portion or lug 111 in which is positioned a nut 112. A screw 113 has threaded engagement with the nut and is journalled in a bracket 114 fixed to the base 95 and is restrained in the bracket against axial movement. The nut 112 is freely rotatable in lug 111. The nut is formed with a circular flange 115 which is clamped against the lug by an annular member 117 having bolts 118 threading into the lug. The flange of the nut is formed with notches 120 to receive a tubular spanner tool for rotating the nut on screw 113.

Rotation is imparted to the screws 113 in each assembly by a shaft 127, journalled in a gear housing 128, FIG- URE 7. A worm is fixed to the shaft 127 in each of the housings 128, and is arranged in mesh with a worm wheel 130 mounted on a shaft journalled in the gear housing and having its ends extending toward the base members 95 of each pair. The ends of the out-put shaft are connected by universal joints 133 to the screws 113. Accordingly, upon rotation of each shaft 127, rotation is imparted to the screws 113 in all the in-feed, out-feed units. Therefore, all the rolls 107 are adjusted simultaneously and to the same extent to accommodate bars of different diameters. Th shafts 127 of all in-feed and out-feed assemblies are connected together by connecting shafts 135 and couplings 136.

Rotation is imparted to all of the rolls 107. The shafts 105 in each assembly are connected by shafts through unlversal joints 141. Referring to FIGURES 3 and 6, the shafts 105 of the out-feed assemblies located at the right end of the machine are rotated by a motor 143. This connection being by Way of connecting shafts 144 and universal joints 145.

The front series of rolls being connected to the output shaft of variable speed motor 143, and the inner series of rolls being connected to a jackshaft driven by a. chain 147. A similar arrangement is provided at the left end of the machine for driving the rolls 107 in the in-feed mechanism.

A modified in feed and out feed roll structure is shown in FIGURE 10. In this arrangement housings 150, 151 are fixedly mounted in the machine frame. These housings are formed with a bore in which is slidably mounted a sleeve 153 formed with a keyway 154, to receive a key 155 to restrain rotation of the sleeves in the housings.

Nuts 157 are fixed in the lower ends of the sleeves 153 and have threaded connection to screws 158. A worm wheel 160 is fixed to the lower end of each screw and is arranged in mesh with a worm mounted on the shaft 127, whereby upon rotation of the shaft 127 the sleeves 153 are moved axially in the housings 150, 151.

A head assembly 161 is fixed to the outer end of each sleeve 153 and is formed with a bore in which the trunnion 101 of the yoke 103 is journalled.

The housings 150, 151, and the components carried thereby are of identical construction. It will be observed that the housing 150 is mounted in the frame so that the yoke 103 carried thereby is moved toward and from the axis 165 of the workpiece on a horizontal linear path.

Housing 151 is mounted so that the linear path of movement of the axis of the roll 107 inclines upwardly in a direction toward the housing 150, the linear path inter secting the axis 165 of the work bar, as shown by lines 109.

Referring to FIGURE 7, it will also be apparent that the linear path in which the rolls 107 move intersect the axis 165 of the workpiece. In both arrangements, the included angle between the linear paths of movement of the rolls 107 is somewhat less than 180.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 7, the included angles of the linear paths is approximately 135, and in FIGURE 10, 115. This arrangement for the adjustment of the in-feed and out-feed rolls is an important feature of the invention in that the linear paths of movement of the rolls, intersecting the preselected axial location of the Work bars, provides for the adjustments being made by a servomechanism with numerical control.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5, a servomotor 170 is operatively connected by chain or cog belt 171 to a jackshaft 172, extending transversely of the grinding machine.

Shaft 172 is connected to one of the shafts 135 in the in-feed mechanism by chain or cog belt 173. The opposite end of the shaft 172 is connected to one of the shafts 135 of the out-feed roll assemblies by chain or cog belt 175, FIGURE 5.

With the roll assembly as shown in FIGURE 10, the shafts 127 in housings 150, 151, are operatively connected together as by a chain 180.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 7, the loading mechanism is one of the type disclosed in copending application 606,100, filed Dec. 30, 1966, now Patent No. 3,419,159, dated Dec. 31, 1968. It consists generally of a bar sup porting rack having members 185 disposed normal to the center line of the in-feed mechanism. The forward edge of the rack is journalled on supporting members 187, FIGURE 7, and the rack is inclined downwardly toward the in-feed rolls, the inclination being adjusted by a fluid operated cylinder 183. Bar restraining levers 184 are secured on a shaft 186 journalled in the members 185.

The shaft 186 has a depending arm 177 connected to piston rod 188 of cylinder 189. The rear end of the cylinder 189 is pivotally connected to a slide 190 which is adjustable in a direction lengthwise of the cylinder by a screwjack having an extending shaft 191 connected to a servomechanism 192.

Stop levers 193 are fixed to a shaft 194 journalled in the members 185 in space parallel in relation to the shaft 186 and forwardly thereof. The shaft 194 has a depending arm 197 connected to the piston rod 198 of cylinder 200, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to the slide 201, moved by a screwjack, having an extended shaft 203 connected to a servomotor 204, see FIGURES 1 and 7.

Loading arms 207 are fixed to a shaft 208 which is oscillated by a cylinder 212, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to a bracket 213 depending from one of the crossmembers 185.

The arrangement is such that when the stop levers 193 are moved downwardly below the surface of the rack, a work bar 50 will roll into the loading arms 207. The remaining bars on the rack are restrained by the levers 184. When the loading arms 207 are lowered by cylinder 212, the workpiece is moved from the full line position, FIGURE 7, to the dotted line position, wherein it is supported by the rolls 107. The arms 207 remain in the down position until the trailing end of the bar has been advanced by the rolls 107, between the regulating wheel 23 and the grinding wheel 51.

When the arms 193 have been moved to down position and the lowermost bar on the rack has rolled into the loading arms 207, the stop levers 193 return to up position, thereafter the retaining levers 184 are moved to down position to permit the next succeeding bar to roll forward against the stop levers 193. With this arrange- 6 ment, bars are successively fed from the supply rack to the in-feed rolls 107.

The pistons and cylinders 189 and 200 have a fixed stroke. However, the up position of the arms 184, 193, is determined by the diameter of the bars on the rack, this to provide for only one bar being released for movement against the stop lever 193. The up position of the levers 184, 193, is determined by the position of the slides 190, 201. The positioning of the slides is effected by the servomotor mechanism 192, 204. It will be noted that the positioning of the slides 190, 201 and accordingly, the cylinders 189, 200, is also over linear paths, whereby the servomechanisms 192, 204, can also be actuated by a numerical control.

While one grinding machine is shown in the system described, it will be understood that there may be two or more grinding machines employed depending on the character of the work being ground and the final finish required.

The servomechanism and control has not been discussed specifically because servosystems and mechanisms are Well known. Such systems and components therefore are produced by several manufacturers and are commercially available for use in machine tool control.

What I claim is:

1. A centerless grinding system including a grinding machine having a grinding head, a power driven grinding element journalled in said head, a regulating wheel mount, a power driven regulating wheel journalled in said regulating wheel mount, said grinding head and said regulating wheel mount being movable toward and from each other on linear paths to accommodate work bars of different diameters therebetween, a work bar rest positioned intermediate said grinding head and regulating wheel mount and being movable on a linear path for supporting work bars of different diameters on a preselected axis, said system also including in-feed and out-feed mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said grinding machine, each of said mechanisms including a row of a plurality of assemblies, each of said assemblies having rolls for supporting and feeding work bars on said preselected axis to and from said grinding machine, certain of said rolls being power driven, each roll of each of said assemblies being movable on a linear path intersecting said preselected axis, the included angle between said paths in each assembly being less than and servomechanism operatively connected to said in-feed and out-feed rolls, said regulating wheel mount, said grinding head, and said work bar rest, for effecting movement of the same simultaneously on said linear paths to accommodate work bars of different diameters and to maintain bars of all diameters on said preselected axis.

2. A centerless grinding system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grinding machine includes an adjustable stop member mounted for engagement by said grinding head to limit movement thereof toward said preselected axis, said stop member being movable on a linear path and being operatively connected to said servomechanism for movement thereby. I

3. A centerless grinding system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connection between said servomechanism, said regulating wheel mount and said stop member includes screwjack structures.

4. A centerless grinding system as claimed in claim 2, and including a fluid operated piston and cylinder structure for yieldingly urging said grinding head against said stop member.

5. A centerless grinding system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection between said servomechanism and said in-feed and out-feed rolls includes screwjack structures.

6. A centerless grinding system as claimed in claim 1, and including a bar loading mechanism having bar feeding members operable for feeding bars successively from a supply to said in-feed rolls, adjusting means movable on a linear path for adjusting said feeding members to feed bars of different diameters, the servomechanism being 0peratively connected to said adjusting means for moving the same.

7. A bar feed mechanism for centerless grinding machines comprising a row of a plurality of assemblies, each of said assemblies having a pair of power driven rolls for supporting and feeding work bars on a preselected axis to the grinding machine, each roll of each pair being movable on a linear path intersecting said preselected axis, the included angle between said paths in each assembly being less than 180, and power means operatively connected to all of said rolls for efiecting movement of the same simultaneously on said linear paths to accommodate work bars of different diameters, and to maintain bars of all diameters on said preselected axis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 51103, 215

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,5 3, 5 Dated Ma 3 97 ROBERT L. SCHALLER Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, Lines 6-11 should read:

"referring to FIGURE 7, it will be observed that the base members 95 are mounted on the machine frame in such manner that they incline upwardly toward the axis of the work bar 50 and that movement of the slides $7 on the base members 95 is over a linear path.

Claim 7 was canceled and therefore was printed in the patent through error.

In the heading to the printed specification, line 7,

"7 Claims" should read 6 Claims SIGNED MID awn F539 1% EimfllI- m at. a: E 0mm Obnntssiomr of Patents FORM PC4050 (IO-69) USCOMNL gQs15-pg9 t u. s. covllmuln'r IIIHTIIIG orrlci "II 0-:u-Ju 

